Plastic Fermentation Buckets

[BenTheBrewer]

I have used an "ale pail" as my primary fermenter for a couple years. Without changing any brewing habits (sanitation, ferment temps, etc) I have had 3 terrible brews of 3 different styles that all came out tasting the same...bad... The taste is hard to describe, and I have looked at taste troubleshooting charts, but I can't find a taste that matches. I guess it smells a little medical I suppose, and the taste is most definitely disgusting. almost sour, but my palate sucks, could be extremely sweet. I am really disappointed that I've had to throw out 3 brews. Given that my plastic fermenter is 2-3 years old should I just go to glass? Or could there be something else I am doing wrong?


Thanks

[Mylo]

I have used an "ale pail" as my primary fermenter for a couple years. Without changing any brewing habits (sanitation, ferment temps, etc) I have had 3 terrible brews of 3 different styles that all came out tasting the same...bad... The taste is hard to describe, and I have looked at taste troubleshooting charts, but I can't find a taste that matches. I guess it smells a little medical I suppose, and the taste is most definitely disgusting. almost sour, but my palate sucks, could be extremely sweet. I am really disappointed that I've had to throw out 3 brews. Given that my plastic fermenter is 2-3 years old should I just go to glass? Or could there be something else I am doing wrong?


Thanks

Change that bucket frequently... they are cheap. Glass is good and has served me well over the years, but if I was starting out - I would just go straight for the better bottles. No touchy insidey!


Mylo

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

I have used an "ale pail" as my primary fermenter for a couple years. Without changing any brewing habits (sanitation, ferment temps, etc) I have had 3 terrible brews of 3 different styles that all came out tasting the same...bad... The taste is hard to describe, and I have looked at taste troubleshooting charts, but I can't find a taste that matches. I guess it smells a little medical I suppose, and the taste is most definitely disgusting. almost sour, but my palate sucks, could be extremely sweet. I am really disappointed that I've had to throw out 3 brews. Given that my plastic fermenter is 2-3 years old should I just go to glass? Or could there be something else I am doing wrong?


Thanks

Change that bucket frequently... they are cheap. Glass is good and has served me well over the years, but if I was starting out - I would just go straight for the better bottles. No touchy insidey!


Mylo

I use plastic buckets almost exclusively. I have had had one bucket for 6 years with no problems. My other bucket is three years old. My third bucket is almost 10 years old. Treat them gently and they will last.

You might try soaking the bucket in bleach at the proper concentration for an hour or two. If there are scratches on the inside, you might never get all the infection. But I will echo what Mylo said: Get a new bucket.

I have never done primary fermentation in glass, so can't help you there.

[brewinhard]

I still have one of my original brew buckets from when I first started brewing 6 years ago. Still use it with no problems. But in the past, when I have had a busted batch it usually means you need to buy new tubing, autosiphons, racking canes and of course buckets. It is a cheap assurance for a day spent making good wort. With careful cleaning buckets can be used for years, but carboys are awesome for primary fermentation. Have not tried better bottles yet, but will eventually get there probably if my glass carboys ever bust (hint...don't schwill hard when using glass...

[hopshead]

This topic pops up from time to time and it is always interesting to me. I have been brewing for a little over 4 years now and I have come "full circle" on fermenters. First it was plastic buckets, then I found the BN. A couple of Jamil shows later and I had to get glass acid carboys and loved them. Then I started a family and with young kids running around and all the scary pictures and stories on the net with busted carboys, I went to better bottles, and loved them. Then my better bottles broke (frozen pbw overnight) and I was short on cash and got the buckets, again and loved them. After spending so much time learning to clean better bottles (made of plastic) with strong pbw solutions and and a long soak - I reasoned, why can't you do that with your buckets. Alas, no scrubbing at all on my buckets, they are clean and cheap. I don't store them stacked inside each other. I am sure in time I will want another better bottle for aging beer if I can grow out of the "justin crossley" drink'em early and often mentality.

BENTHEBREWER >> I agee with the above poster, toss out your siphon tubing and if your racking cane is plastic, send it to the dump. A good long hot soak with pbw or clorox might do the trick on the bucket.... but since buckets are cheaper than a lost batch of beer (time and ingredient cost) just get a new one and treat it nice. Now, go forth and brew soldier!

[TheDarkSide]

I'd buy a new bucket each year when I used them. I would use the old ones as a grain bucket or Star San/PBW bucket.

One thing that always got me is when they stack them inside each other at the homebrew stores. I would think they would be prone to scratching by doing that.

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

I'd buy a new bucket each year when I used them. I would use the old ones as a grain bucket or Star San/PBW bucket.

One thing that always got me is when they stack them inside each other at the homebrew stores. I would think they would be prone to scratching by doing that.

Yeah, but the manufacturer probably ships them that way, too. I try not to lose too much sleep worrying about it. I lose sleep over JP.

[KimJongAle]

I try not to lose too much sleep worrying about it. I lose sleep over JP.

Better than sleeping with JP